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I usually don't buy expensive parts from Asia, but due to shortage on new Ultegra stuff, am wondering if Japan is a safe place to buy Shimano stuff from or if there is some risk of getting B-grade parts, etc? I'm 99% sure there would be no warranty from Shimano though.

I have bought Shimano parts on eBay from sellers located in Japan and Taiwan. No issues to report. My latest purchase was an Ultegra 8050 GS RD from a seller in Taiwan. I wanted it sooner and no vendors in the U.S. has it. When the Shimano quick link for chains first came out I bought some from a seller in Japan. Asia's supply chain for bike parts is most extensive since most bikes are made/built in Asia.

I am waiting on the Ultegra ST-R8020 disc brake shifter/brake combo (to finish my Emonda SLR build) and the US is having trouble getting supply. I was looking at eBay for these and a few are there. Excel Sports told me the Shimano rep said they were having a problem with the shifters and thus the delay. This worries me a bit. Maybe I should wait.